Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration “Blood Ties”

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration has arrived and finally PS4 players can join Lara Croft on her most recent adventure.

New to the re-release is the brand new story mode “Blood Ties.” This story chapter takes place entirely within Croft Manor and takes it’s cue from walking simulators of the past few years and even from the step back from combat that Uncharted 4 took.

Lara’s uncle Atlas who — as you discover by playing “Blood Ties” — despises the Croft’s and is seeking to take control of Croft Manor following the death of Lara’s father. With no will or any tangible claim to the house she grew up in, Lara sets out to prove that she is the rightful owner.

What follows is a gentle hour and a half of exploring and light puzzle solving. The point of “Blood Ties” is to tell a story. To fill in some of the shading in Lara’s past and to let players gain a better understanding of her, her relationship with her father and her motivations. Rise of the Tomb Raider sees Lara following in her father’s footsteps on a quest for immortality, but her motivations and relationship with her father’s quest were one of the most undercooked aspects of the main narrative. “Blood Ties” helps fill that out and put it in context.

We’ve included our full playthrough in the video above. For our review of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebrationhead here.

About Leo Stevenson

I've been playing games for the past 27 years and have been writing for almost as long. Combining two passions in the way I'm able is a true privilege. PowerUp! is a labour of love and one I am so excited to share.